BBC Local Live: Beds, Herts & Bucks

Double Olympic cycling champion Victoria Pendleton has made her debut as an amateur jockey, in a flat race at Newbury.

Bedfordshire-based Pendleton, 34, who retired from cycling after the 2012 Olympics, rode Mighty Mambo in the one-mile, five-furlong George Frewer Charity Race at 17:55.

She finished eighth, according to Betfair.

Local residents have ignored warnings by swimming in the Blue Lagoon in Bletchley, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue says.

Geograph / Philip JeffreyCopyright: Geograph / Philip Jeffrey

The warnings were made following the fatalities in the Blue Lagoon last year.

Graham Freer, station commander at Bletchley and Great Holm fire stations, said: "There were between 20 and 30 people in the water yesterday. We gave them advice regarding the dangers of swimming in unchartered water."

Any early evening thundery showers will quickly clear to leave a fine evening and night, with scattered cloud and fog patches. Feeling fresher than last night with a minimum temperature of 15C (59F).

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Tomorrow will be dry with sunny periods, and very warm or hot inland. There is the risk of some isolated showers or thunderstorms developing later in the day.

Maximum temperature: 28C (82F).

More CCTV images have been released after a robbery in Dunstable on Monday that was connected with a fatal crash.

Bedfordshire PoliceCopyright: Bedfordshire Police

Two women approached a man and a woman in Albion Street just before 12:00 to ask for directions before stealing cash from the couple.

Shortly after, police were called to a collision in Edward Street, where 83-year-old Frederick Lander was pronounced dead at the scene. Police wish to speak to a man who helped the female passenger.

The A603 Cardington Road in Bedford is partially blocked due to an accident at the A5140 Rope Walk junction.

Traffic is backed up on the Newnham Avenue to Barker's Lane.

Lots of people got involved in BBC Look East's Twitter game #HeatBingo over the past two days - taking photos of thermometers wherever they were across the East. But can you trust your thermometer?

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How hard can it be to measure the temperature of the air? Surely it's just a case of holding a thermometer out in the open and reading off a number?

But it is surprisingly difficult to get a consistent, accurate measure of air temperature, as Peter Gibbs reports.

The roads are looking busier around the three counties as rush hour kicks in. Check here before you travel.

Trains appear to be running well at the moment.

A fundraising page has been set-up in the name of Watford engineer Chris Dyer, who was among those who died in the beach attack in Tunisia last week.

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Almost £6,000 has been raised since the page was created two days ago, to support his family.

"May we all continue to keep Chris in our thoughts and send all our love and wishes to Gina throughout her recovery", writes page manager Kieran O'Marhoney.

East Hertfordshire Rural Police tweets: We've just dealt with an obstruction on the A507, massive thanks to the employee from Gilmartins who helped clear up.

Hertfordshire PoliceCopyright: Hertfordshire Police

Ahead of the rugby season, which kicks off in August, the Bedford Blues have been put to the test with a Mixed Martial Arts workout.

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It sounds like the lads thought they were in for an easy ride but little did they know it was to be one of the toughest training sessions so far.

It was all to get them in tip-top shape and fighting fit against the other Championship clubs.

The main image on our live page today is looking much brighter than it is out of our office window.

Mike SallowayCopyright: Mike Salloway

This is the High Street of the village of Standon in Hertfordshire, which is probably best known for its summertime music festival Standon Calling.

Thank you to Mike Salloway for sending this in. If you'd like to feature your favourite places in Beds, Herts and Bucks on the BBC website, just email us here.

An engineer from Watford has been named as one of the British holiday-makers killed in the Tunisian massacre.

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Chris Dyer, 32, was on holiday with his wife Gina Van Dort when he was killed last Friday. She is reported as having clung on to her dead husband's hand as paramedics tried to get her to safety.

Mr Dyer has been described as a Jiu-Jitsu enthusiast, with his club paying tribute to him after his death.

In Milton Keynes, there's queuing traffic on the A421 westbound in the roadworks area before the Kingston roundabout.

The A405 North Orbital southbound in Hertfordshire has one lane closed because of a hole in the road, between High Elms Lane and St Albans Road.

Bedfordshire Police has said it had no information at all, even from its search of the family home, that suggested the Luton family of 12 were intending to travel to Syria.

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Due to nothing being found in the search, the family were allowed to travel freely the next day without any police intervention.

A police spokesman said: "While the suggestion is that the party's current location is in Syria, this remains uncorroborated and our inquiries are continuing."

There's still no Lewis Hamilton here at Silverstone yet, ahead of the British Grand Prix, but we have seen Valtteri Bottas (pictured left) in the paddock.

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Some of the top female golfers in the world are involved in the Ladies European Masters, which started today at the Buckinghamshire Golf Club.

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Sophie Giquel-Bettan of France currently leads on six under par. South Africa's Ashleigh Simon is on five under.

Charley Hull (pictured), who is based at Woburn is at -2, Hertfordshire's Hannah Burke is +2 and Bedford's Holly Aitchinson is +3.

The latest news headlines for the three counties:

• Relatives of the missing Luton family have told the BBC they've made contact to say they have arrived in Syria
• A man from St Albans has been charged with 14 firearms offences following a raid last year when police found numerous artefacts from the First and Second World War

Two large bedding installations containing 13,900 plants have been added to the gardens at Waddesdon Manor.

The Artist, courtesy Sadie Coles HQ / Mike FearCopyright: The Artist, courtesy Sadie Coles HQ / Mike Fear

Artist Simon Periton created the two works, called Anarchy Ball and Scalpel, for the Parterre on the South Front of the manor.

They are part of Waddesdon's contemporary programme, where artists are invited to respond to the manor's setting and history. It continues the tradition of three-dimensional bedding begun by Alice de Rothschild in the late 19th Century.

A driver charged with the murder of a pedestrian in a Hertfordshire collision has appeared in court today.

Dave HaylockCopyright: Dave Haylock

Michael Turner, 56, of Landau Way, Turnford, appeared at St Albans Crown Court via video link from from Peterborough jail and was remanded in custody. The charge was not put to Turner but the judge set a trial date for 2 November.

Frank Buckley, in his 50s, of Groom Road, Turnford died after being hit by a van at about 11:30 last Friday.

A family of 12 from Luton who went missing on a trip to Bangladesh have contacted UK relatives saying they are in Syria, sources have told the BBC.

Bedfordshire PoliceCopyright: Bedfordshire Police

Bedfordshire Police said it had yet to confirm the information but enquiries were ongoing.

A crowd funding page to bring a splash park to Biggleswade has already surpassed its initial target of £500.

This afternoon we'll see the day becoming drier and brighter. Staying warm but not quite as hot as yesterday.

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There will be a maximum temperature of 26C (79F).

I'm back at Silverstone today in the run-up to the British Grand Prix this weekend.

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BBC Look East cameraman Steve Hubbard has had to join a queue for pictures of Hertfordshire's Lewis Hamilton.

Think he might be lunching at the moment...

Television producer and Knotty Green resident Bob Massie, whose wife Tina is the landlady of the Red Lion, was among the first people to pay tribute to legendary singer Val Doonican.

Val lived opposite the Red Lion in Knotty Green and regularly helped with the KnotFest music festival.

A man has been charged with 14 firearms offences after a number of World War One and Two artefacts and munitions were found at a home in St Albans.

South Beds News AgencyCopyright: South Beds News Agency

Alan Tissington, 49, of Windmill Avenue in St Albans, was arrested on 17 September last year, following the police operation. Bomb disposal teams were called to the scene and nearby homes evacuated after police found the cache of weapons.

He has been charged with four counts of possession of a firearm without a certificate, one count of possession of a shotgun without a certificate, two counts of possessing ammunition for a firearm without a certificate and seven counts of possession of prohibited ammunition.

Vauxhall Motors says it's monitoring industrial action at French Ports, minute-by minute.

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The production line in Luton had to be halted this week after engine supplies from France failed to arrive on time.

Work has now resumed, but Vauxhall says it hasn't ruled out further problems.

An outdoor family swimming pool was forced to close early yesterday, on Britain's hottest day in ten years, because of anti-social behaviour.

Bedfordshire's Olympic cycling champion Victoria Pendleton makes her horse racing debut this afternoon.

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After months of training, she's riding in the 17:55 at Newbury.

"I'm giving it my best shot so we'll just see how it goes", she said. "I'm enjoying it, it's great to try something new and challenge yourself."

Hertsmere Borough Council has spray painted pictures of pooches with the words 'Bag it, Bin it' on the pavements in Oakmere Park, Potters Bar, in a bid to urge dog owners to clean up after their pets.

Lorraine tweets: "Its a shame such campaigns are needed."

Bingobrewtea tweets: "Need to paint that on Milton Keynes paths. Littered in poop by lazy dog walkers 'to posh to pick up' :-( "

We're pleased to report that the majority of the roads and rails in the three counties are looking clear this lunchtime.

There is some slow traffic on the A41 in Hertfordshire from the North Orbital Road to the Dome roundabout.

The A411 Beechen Grove is busy but moving around the Estcourt Road junction.

The latest news for Beds, Herts and Bucks:

• Police have confirmed a member of Luton family feared to have travelled to Syria was stopped by officers the day before they left the UK
• A 24-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder following an incident at a block of flats in Hemel Hempstead on Tuesday
• Singer Val Doonican, who lived in Buckinghamshire, has died aged 88

A member of the Luton family feared to have travelled to Syria was stopped by officers the day before the group left the UK.

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The woman, 21, was stopped at the airport on 9 April, suspected of trying to go Syria, but she was not arrested.

Police then raided the home of the missing grandparents (pictured on 9 April) and what is thought to be other family members. The 12 left the country the next day.

It's probably safe to say that most of us are still reeling from yesterday's heat...

Paradise Wildlife ParkCopyright: Paradise Wildlife Park

These tapirs, at Paradise Wildlife Park in Hertfordshire, seemed to really enjoy their day in the sun as it meant they got one of these very impressive ice lollies!

Tapirs, who are born with white stripes, are relatives of the horse and rhino and are usually found in South America.

Virgin West Coast, which runs from Euston and serves stations including Watford and Milton Keynes, is the least punctual rail company in the country, according to new statistics.

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Just under three quarters (73.6%) of its trains arrived within five minutes of their scheduled time between April 2014 and March 2015, according to statistics from the Office of Rail and Road, published today.

The figure is more than a fifth lower than the best performing rail operator Merseyrail, with 95.6% of its trains arriving within five minutes of their scheduled time.

A man from Hemel Hempstead has been charged with attempted murder after a woman was left seriously injured after a 30ft fall from a balcony.

FairleysCopyright: Fairleys

John McAleer, 24, from Belsize Road, will appear before Hatfield Remand Court later today.

Police were called to Waterhouse Street in the town at 03:00 on Tuesday. The 21-year-old woman remains in a critical condition in hospital.

A vicar from St Albans is to become the suffragan - which means supporting - Bishop of Aston, in the Diocese of Birmingham, Downing Street has announced.

Diocese of St AlbansCopyright: Diocese of St Albans

Reverend Anne Hollinghurst, Vicar of St Peter's Church in St Albans since 2010, will be consecrated at St Paul's Cathedral in September before moving in October.

The fan of real ale pubs said: "There will be much here that I shall miss. All I have valued, learned and been a part of here will go with me and help equip me for the exciting, if rather daunting, challenges and opportunities ahead."

Irish singer and TV entertainer Val Doonican has died, aged 88.

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His family said he died "peacefully" on Wednesday night.

Doonican stopped performing in 2009, spending time between Buckinghamshire and Spain. He was also a keen golfer, talented watercolour painter and cook.

Over the past few years, having listened to many a discussion on The JVS Show about - there's no nicer way to say it than dog poo. I've heard all sorts of ways to tackle the problem of those that don't pick it up.

Hertsmere Borough CouncilCopyright: Hertsmere Borough Council

Oakmere Park in Potters Bar has come up with something quite different though. They've spray-painted pictures of pooches with the words 'Bag it, Bin it' on the pavements.

Is the issue of dog-owners not cleaning up their pet's mess a problem near you? Email us here.

More than 1,000 cremations a year could be carried out at a proposed facility, if councillors approve the scheme.

Plans submitted to North Hertfordshire District Council envision a new crematorium, along with burial space and gardens of remembrance, on land off Bedford Road, Holwell.

Residents in Hertfordshire have been left upset after items were stolen from the yarn-bombing in Tring.

Moira DouglasCopyright: Moira Douglas

Writing on the Everything Tring Facebook page, residents reported that a number of knitted animals had been stolen.

The yarn-bomb, where everyday objects are covered in wool, in the Church Square was revealed on Monday to celebrate 700 years of the Tring Charter.

Some of the top female golfers are playing in the Ladies European Masters which starts today at the Buckinghamshire Golf Club in Denham.

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Woburn-based Charley Hull (pictured) will feature, as will Bedford's Holly Aitchinson and Hertfordshire's Hannah Burke.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has confirmed it is looking into yesterday's collision between a police car and a Citroen in Stevenage.

@DARKSNIPER866Copyright: @DARKSNIPER866

Four people were injured in the crash, which happened just before 11:40 in Six Hills Way, including a young girl who was seriously hurt, a passenger in the Citroen and two officers.

An IPCC spokesman said it had sent investigators to the scene and "declared this an independent investigation".

The latest news for the three counties:

• Community leaders are expressing their shock after police said 12 members of a missing Luton family were believed to be in Syria
• An investigation is under way into yesterday morning's crash in Stevenage, involving a police car, in which a young girl was seriously injured

The roads around the three counties are looking very busy this morning.

On the M1 southbound in Hertfordshire just before J5 there are long delays. One lane is blocked due to an earlier accident.

St Albans City have announced they will host newly promoted Watford's first team at Clarence Park next Wednesday.

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It will be the Hornets' first pre-season outing of the summer.

If you watched BBC One's Crimewatch Roadshow yesterday you'll have seen a bizarre crime wave is sweeping this part of the country - thieves are stripping down Vauxhall cars as their owners sleep.

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One morning Lisa Frankland woke to discover the front of her Vauxhall Corsa had vanished - the damage cost £5,000 to repair.

Hundreds of owners in and around Bedfordshire have fallen victim, but why? Officers suspect the components are being sold on to the body repair market.

The Hertfordshire-based British number two Aljaz Bedene is in second round action at Wimbledon today.

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The Slovenian-born player has lived in Welwyn Garden City for eight years and is taking part in his first Wimbledon as a British representative.

He faces the 22nd seed - Serbia's Victor Troicki.

A woman from Bedfordshire is demanding to know why she was made to wait four hours for an ambulance while she lay crying in agony on the floor.

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Tracy Ellis, from Leighton Buzzard, called the East of England Ambulance Service after dislocating her kneecap.

The ambulance service said it was investigating the case but it had "attempted several times to send an ambulance but crews had to be diverted to patients with very serious conditions".

After the hottest July day on record yesterday, today will start fine but heavy and thundery showers are expected to spread up from the south during the morning.

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It won't be as hot as yesterday but will still feel very warm and humid, with a maximum temperature of 27C (80F).

Get the latest information from BBC Weather.

A friend of the Luton family believed to have travelled to Syria says he understands "this has all happened because of one daughter-in-law".

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Community leader Ashuk Ahmed (pictured) said: "She had already been radicalised and we think what happened is that she has then begun working on other wives of the other sons. We think [she] brainwashed others."

Looking at the list of those who are missing, he said the woman was either Sheida Khanam, 27, who is married to Mohammed Abil Kashem Saker, 31, or Roshanara Begum, 24, who is married to Mohammed Saleh Hussain, 26.

These are the main stories we're looking at this morning:

• It's being claimed that one of the women in the missing Luton family believed to be in Syria could be behind their disappearance
• A woman from Bedfordshire is demanding to know why she was made to wait four hours for an ambulance

Listen to all the latest news on the hour at BBC Three Counties Radio.

One lane is blocked on the anti-clockwise M25 between J19 for the A41 at Watford and J18 for the A404 (Chorleywood) due to an accident.

Congestion is back to J20 for the A41 at Kings Langley.

Welcome to today's live page for Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire where we'll let you know what's going on across the three counties until 18:00.

I'll get you started and Dani Bailey will join at 10:00.

Tell us what you're up to today or what you think about the latest news - email your comments to bhblive@bbc.co.uk or contact us on Twitter @BBC3CR or Facebook.